chapter 93 part 1
Chapter 93: The Gift
Today was destined to be a long day for Glyn.
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It was a knife to the neck whether you stuck your head out or pulled it back. After leaving the Tower of the Hand, Glyn headed straight for Maegor's Holdfast to face Queen Cersei.
Glyn entered Maegor's Holdfast and had just crossed the great hall. Before he could even set foot on the stairs, he was blocked by the Queen's handmaiden.
The handmaiden informed Glyn that Queen Cersei was resting and had no spare time today.
Glyn raised an eyebrow slightly. Before coming here, he had secretly arranged for his guards to search for Jaime.
Although he couldn't talk Cersei out of her willfulness, Jaime could at least shield him from some of the fallout.
Jaime wasn't with Joffrey, Myrcella, or Tommen, and he hadn't left the Red Keep, which meant he could only be in Maegor's Holdfast.
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Maegor's Holdfast Gardens.
Glyn glanced up at the sky. It seemed destined that Cersei would learn of the events in the Tower of the Hand from other channels.
Most likely, his boss, Cersei, would hear the news in bed after tumbling with Jaime.
How did Glyn know of Queen Cersei's habit?
Glyn was a man who paid attention to details. After spending a long time around her and intentionally keeping an eye out, he had naturally learned some secrets unknown to ordinary people.
…
When Cersei and Jaime were enjoying their pleasures, Glyn's policy was to keep his distance.
Now that things had come to this, the best-case scenario would naturally be for Queen Cersei to learn of the events in the Tower of the Hand from Glyn's own lips.
However, by comparison, Glyn was even more unwilling to get close to Cersei and Jaime's secret. This matter was too significant; loyalty wasn't worth a single copper star here.
Those familiar with Glyn now all knew he was a man of keen perception, and this included Jaime and Cersei.
Didn't you see that the Queen's handmaiden was already guarding the bottom of the staircase? If this were in the past... their games were truly thrilling.
Trampling on worldly conventions for pleasure might provide a more intense physical and mental thrill, but the two of them retained a sliver of reason.
This change was not just to guard against Glyn, but against anyone with keen perceptions like him.
If Glyn were to wait by the stairs just to be the first to explain things to Queen Cersei, sensitive people might grow suspicious for no reason.
Glyn would rather increase the difficulty for himself and chose to leave Maegor's Holdfast.
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One, two, three.
Glyn stood fixedly in a spot in the garden. Many of the passing handmaidens and servants of Maegor's Holdfast noticed Glyn, his face heavy and looking as if he bore a great story.
'Will my boss, Cersei, think I no longer need her?'
'Could my boss, Cersei, truly doubt my loyalty over some gold dragons and status?'
Note: The above were scenarios Glyn constructed in his mind to make the expression on his face more moving.
Glyn was intentionally putting on a show for the nearby passersby, among whom were hidden Queen Cersei's eyes and ears.
…
Immersed in his performance, Glyn's ears twitched as he heard light footsteps.
Glyn turned his gaze at the right moment, a hint of surprise on his face. He placed a hand on his chest and bowed. "Good day, Princess Myrcella."
Blonde hair, red dress, a miniature version of Cersei—Myrcella Baratheon tilted her small chin up slightly. "Good day, Lord Glynn."
News certainly travels fast within the Red Keep!
Glyn nodded in acknowledgement. When Princess Myrcella stopped before him, he naturally crouched down so their eyes were on the same level.
Glyn's courteous gesture unconsciously raised Myrcella's favorable impression of him.
Myrcella's eyes crinkled with a smile as she spoke to Glyn, "I happened to be nearby. My handmaiden told me you were here, so I came over. Congratulations, Lord Glynn."
Myrcella's still-childish voice made Glyn smile.
"Thank you, Your Highness. I am deeply honored! You are the first lady to congratulate me, and I shall hold it in my heart!"
Myrcella nodded her small head, her pair of green eyes sparkling.
Myrcella hadn't interacted with Glyn much, but her impression of him was very good.
Myrcella's pure heart made it easier for her to notice unusual things around her.
Limited by her age and kindness—or perhaps one could call it a gift—Myrcella saw herself as a silent observer, never revealing her thoughts easily.
Myrcella's intuition told her that Glyn was a trustworthy knight.
With her perceptiveness, she had long been aware of the secret "interactions" between Glyn and Jaime.
The young Myrcella was surprised that her usually composed uncle, Jaime, also had a side unknown to others.
'So that's the kind of uncle he is...' Myrcella laughed to herself.
The little adult Myrcella thought both Jaime and Glyn were very childish.
…
Myrcella looked at Glyn with her clear green eyes and said, "Lord Glynn, I can see you are troubled."
Hearing Myrcella's words, Glyn was slightly taken aback. "Your Highness has sharp eyes."
Myrcella put her small hands behind her back. "If you're willing, you can tell me about it. I will be a quiet listener."
'Should I make use of Myrcella? It might have an unexpected effect... No. Although Glyn often wavered, he was a man with principles.'
Glyn first placed a hand on his chest in thanks. "I have just suddenly been tasked with a great responsibility and am at a loss for a moment, hence my worry."
Myrcella's childish voice encouraged him, "A brave knight fears nothing."
This time, Glyn was genuinely comforted by Myrcella.
…
At Glyn's suggestion, he and Myrcella left the Maegor's Holdfast Gardens to continue her horsemanship lessons.
The Red Keep was too dark; Glyn needed to cleanse his soul a little.
It was nearly evening when Glyn finally bid farewell to the reluctant Princess Myrcella and left the Red Keep.
Of course, being dutiful, Glyn went back to Maegor's Holdfast one more time after leaving Myrcella, only to be stopped again by the handmaiden at the bottom of the stairs.
'It's been over two hours...' Glyn didn't dwell on it.
…
…
In the evening, just as Glyn entered his new residence on Hook Alley, he ran into his steward, Leyton, who had been waiting for him.
Glyn dismounted and tossed the reins to his squire, Marcel Beck. He then turned his gaze to Leyton.
Leyton bowed his head. "My lord, I have something important to report."
The doorway was no place to discuss important matters. Glyn gave a slight nod and started walking. "Leyton, follow me inside."
…